Nadal criticises delay in Fognini ban

NEW YORK (Reuters) - World number one Rafa Nadal has criticised U.S. Open organisers for waiting three days before suspending Fabio Fognini from the tournament for unsportsmanlike conduct during his first round defeat.

Sept 2, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after beating Leonardo Mayer of Argentina on day six of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

He was slapped with $24,000 (£18,530.63) in fines on Friday but was allowed to play two matches in the doubles tournament with partner Simone Bolelli before the Grand Slam Board announced their decision to suspend Fognini on Saturday.

“Of course (it) is not a positive thing (what Fognini did),” twice U.S. Open champion Nadal said after his third round win over Leonardo Mayer.

“Of course if you are not doing the right things on the court, of course you need to be in some way affected.

Sep 2, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Leonardo Mayer of Argentina serves against Rafael Nadal of Spain (not pictured) on day six of the U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

“But at the same time it’s true that things can be made (to) happen earlier because I believe that he played two matches after that match, two doubles matches.

“If they want to suspend him, (it would) be much better to do it immediately, not three days later or four days later.”

Renowned for his temper, 30-year-old Fognini posted an apology on Twitter.

“It was just a very bad day, but it did not forgive my behaviour in the match,” it said.

“Although I’m a hot-head (and though I’ve been right in most circumstances) I was wrong. But in the end it’s only a tennis game.”

Fognini has previously been in hot water for his on-court behaviour at the grand slams. At Wimbledon in 2014, he was fined $27,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct.